Loading...
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
12–17 inches
Typical Length
1–3 lbs
Typical Weight
Late May (Saturday of Memorial Day weekend)
Season Opens
5%
% of MN Lakes
Pound for pound, the smallmouth bass is one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish in Minnesota. Found in clear, rocky lakes and rivers, smallmouth are known for powerful runs and aerial displays.
Habitat
Smallmouth thrive in clear, cool lakes with rocky shorelines and gravel bottoms. They prefer rock piles, boulders, points, and crayfish-rich areas. Unlike largemouth, they avoid heavy vegetation and prefer harder substrates.
When to Fish
Best months: June, July, August, September
Season opens: Late May (Saturday of Memorial Day weekend)
Catch-and-release only before the late May opener. Smallmouth are aggressive through summer and into early fall. Crayfish-imitating jigs and tubes are go-to presentations.
Did You Know?
- Smallmouth bass are sometimes called 'bronzebacks' for the bronze-brown color they display in clear water.
- They can jump up to three feet out of the water when hooked.
- Smallmouth have been documented returning to the same spawning area year after year.
Minnesota State Record
8 lbs 0 oz (West Battle Lake, 1948)
Lakes with Smallmouth Bass near you
174 Minnesota lakes have Smallmouth Bass on record. Find the closest ones to you.
Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) is a gamefish species found in Minnesota lakes and rivers. DNR surveys have documented smallmouth bass in 174 Minnesota lakes. The Minnesota state record is 8 lbs 0 oz (West Battle Lake, 1948).